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S Carolina’s defense scores 3 TDs in 48-22 win over Arkansas

Sean Rayford/Associated Press South Carolina tight end K.C. Crosby (3) catches a pass against Arkansas defensive back Kevin Richardson II (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/

Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA South Carolina’s Chris Lammons leaps on top of T.J. Brunson after Brunson scored a touchdown off of an Arkansas fumble during third-quarter action in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. At left is Sherrod Greene. (

COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s defense scored three touchdowns and Jake Bentley went 16 of 31 for 199 yards and three touchdowns as the Gamecocks beat Arkansas 48-22 on Saturday.

Bentley spread the ball around to nine receivers as South Carolina (4-2, 2-2 Southeastern) beat a team from the SEC West for the first time since 2013.

After a 75-yard touchdown drive by Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) tied it at 10 early in the second quarter, the Razorbacks gained just 48 yards in their next 18 plays. Those plays included an Austin Allen interception Skai Moore returned 34 yards for a TD and an Allen fumble that TJ Brunson returned 74 yards for a score.

South Carolina’s offense clicked, too. The Gamecocks gained 358 yards, scoring on five of eight possessions in the final three quarters. Bentley was sacked just once, a week after the offense line allowed seven sacks in a loss to Texas A&M.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas: The Razorbacks put in freshman quarterback Cole Kelley in the fourth quarter. He was 8 for 13 for 140 yards and led Arkansas on two touchdown drives. He also threw an interception returned for a score. Allen was 12 of 24 for 84 yards, a TD and a pick returned for a score in three quarters … Razorbacks coach Brett Bielema is now 10-24 against SEC teams in his five years at Arkansas … Arkansas came in averaging 408 yards a game, while South Carolina was the SEC’s 12th ranked defense … Connor Limpert made his first college field goal, a 48-yarder in the first quarter.

South Carolina: It was the Gamecocks’ biggest SEC win since the last time they played Arkansas, a 52-7 win in 2013 … Keisean Nixon had a 45-yard interception returned for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter … Kicker Parker White continued to struggle from medium to long distance, missing a pair of 49-yard field goals. White did make kicks from 33 and 29 yards and all of his extra points … Moore’s interception was the 13th of his career, one behind Bo Davis’ record set in 1971.

UP NEXT

Arkansas: The Razorbacks head to No. 1 Alabama next Saturday. Bielema has never beaten the Crimson Tide, losing by an average of 22 points. After that, it’s No. 12 Auburn at home.